Earlier this year the Colorado Mesa University softball team lost its head coach. Head Coach Ben Garcia left CMU for the University of Nothern Colorado and now it is up to the program to pick up where he left off.

Taking quick action to replace Garcia assigned assistant coach Eric Kozel to take the helm as the interim head coach.

“Coach Kozel has been named the interim coach for the duration of the academic year and 2019 season,” Co-Athletic director Kristin Mort said. “The plan [is] of opening the position for a national search at that time.”

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With Kozel taking the leading role until a permanent replacement is found, Mercedes Lovato, pitching coach since 2013, has taken the role of assistant coach. The positions are both filled by familiar faces that know the team well, making for an easy transition to the 2019 season despite losing Garcia.

“We are confident in the abilities of and felt, due to the timing of Coach Garcia’s departure, that Coach Kozel would be the best fit to step in and continue the path of the program and maintain consistency for the student-athletes through the 2019 season,” Mort said.

The team has already begun their practice in preparation for the season and time will tell if there will be an impression on the efficiency of the team due to the change in staff. However, until then, the team will be led by Kozel until CMU can find a permanent replacement for Garcia.